Britain’s Got Talent has suspended filming following the tragic passing of Liam Payne at the age of just 31-years-old.
The former One Direction star passed away on Wednesday after a fall from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires’ Palermo district, Argentina. Local authorities reported that the father-of-one was found in the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel, with medical personnel later confirming his death.
The ITV programme’s panel, composed of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and guest judge KSI, had convened at Blackpool Winter Gardens just last week to kick off the new series set to air the following year. However, the auditions have now been put on hold due to the sudden loss of former X Factor contestant Liam, the Mirror reports.
A tweet this morning announced the postponement: “Simon Cowell has postponed today’s Britain’s Got Talent auditions in Blackpool following the death of Liam Payne. #BGT,” shortly after news of Liam’s death in Argentina broke. The Mirror is seeking confirmation from Britain’s Got Talent.
Music mogul Simon has not yet made a public statement regarding Liam’s death but shared a significant connection with him. Simon first encountered Liam when he was a mere 14 year old with aspirations of fame.
Liam impressed Simon so much during his 2008 X Factor audition that he was invited back two years later. At 16, Liam tried out as a solo artist but was ultimately given the opportunity to join what would become one of the talent show’s most renowned acts – One Direction.
Despite charming audiences globally, One Direction only managed to secure third place in the competition, falling behind Rebecca Ferguson and winner Matt Cardle. In a 2010 clip of the moment the band was formed, judge Nicole Scherzinger suggested that Liam “actually may be the leader” as he was grouped with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.
The X Factor paid tribute to Liam’s impact on the music industry in a heartfelt social media post this morning. “We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne”, the show’s official Twitter account (X) posted alongside a picture of the star.
“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”
Dermot O’Leary, host of The X Factor, described Liam as being “central” to One Direction during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning, praising his “always had this unbelievable, soulful voice”. He also noted the band’s “unbelievable longevity”, attributing it to their strong will and determination to create the music they wanted.
Dermot O’Leary fondly reminisced about the immediate brotherhood formed between One Direction members on the ITV show. “They became brothers very, very quickly. These boys were kind of each other’s family, and they were so unbelievably tight.”
Furthermore, he conveyed that former X Factor staff had reached out to him, expressing a collective “protectiveness” over the band. O’Leary shared, “In many ways, we sort of grew up with them, and (so we are) holding close to our people and saying all our love to friends and family.”
One Direction, famous for hits from their 2011 debut ‘What Makes You Beautiful’, to ‘History’ from their 2015 album, garnered five studio albums and seven Brit Awards. Their bond lasted beyond Zayn’s departure in March 2015 when he sought “some private time out of the spotlight”.
Although the group tried to continue as a quartet, they entered an indefinite hiatus in 2016, with their last group act in December 2015.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the emergency medical system, confirmed the circumstances of the fall on Todo Noticias TV, stating it occurred at the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo district. The late singer was reportedly in Buenos Aires to attend a concert by his former bandmate Niall Horan.
He had been spotted two weeks prior, dancing at the Movistar Arena with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
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